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Title: An analytical electron distribution function for inelastic collisions in a uniform gas with time varying electric field

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10195841· OSTI ID:10195841

The desire for improved control over electric discharge phenomena in a wide variety of scientific, technological, manufacturing, and waste processing activities spurs the development of non-equilibrium, non-uniform, and time dependent models. This paper addresses the situation of slightly ionized, spatially uniform gas with a time varying electric field, and in which inelastic collisions occur. The purpose here is to present a reasonably consistent, and reasonably accessible analytical result for the electron kinetics in a gas discharge regime of technological interest. This paper will be structured as follows. First, the analytical result for the time dependent electron distribution function is stated. Second, a summary of the solution procedure with its attendant assumptions is given. Lastly, examples of the solution are given for an idealized nitrogen-like gas where the electric field ramps between static conditions, and then for sinusoidal behavior.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
10195841
Report Number(s):
UCRL-ID-117952; ON: DE95003476; TRN: AHC29430%%90
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 21 Jul 1994
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English